Dissapointed

Westfield Stratford City @

- London @

- 06/12/2013 @

Favourite moment: none @

Posted 10/12/2013

by Tina1086

Location:london

I booked tickets for my 4 years old to see Santa and it was nothing that we expected at all.We were told to get there at least 10 minutes before our appointment (which was 12:30) but when we got there we were told we have to wait outside in the cold until 12:30 because they advise people to come earlier so they make sure that they find the Grotto.As we got in we were taken to a waiting room which had a few christamssy toys for the kids and even though there were 3 or 4 so called 'elves' they did not try to entertain the kids they were only talking amongs themselves.the only good thing about that place was the 5 minutes movie before going in to see Santa.The Santa was my biggest dissapointment because he did not seen happy and joyfull. He did not say the usual 'HO! HO! HO!' and on top of that to make it worse he did not even try to hold the kids on his lap and ask them their name, age or the usual. I had to sit down on a chair next to him and carry my son whilst the Santa recomende we have our picture taken with him and that was it.And of course we had to buy the picture which was £8 - that was not a problem for me but it may be for others.

Westfield Stratford City @

- London @

- 06/12/2013 @

Favourite moment: none @

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Review 2 for Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto

5/5

The Real santa

Stratford @

- London @

Favourite moment: When we saw Santa fly off on his sleigh after his shift. @

Posted 30/10/2012

by Boast

Trust Westfield to get the REAL santa, not an actor like some centres use.He doesn't speak great English but the kids were thrilled to meet the real deal.Will definitely go back every year.

Stratford @

- London @

Favourite moment: When we saw Santa fly off on his sleigh after his shift. @

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Review 3 for Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto

4/5

our santa grotto experience

westfield stratford @

- london @

- 12/12/2011 @

Posted 12/12/2011

by swisher

Location:london

after hearing about the santa grotto and reading the reviews online, me and my partner were extremly excited to take our 2 children to see santa at westfield, my children are aged 1 and 3. We arrived just on time for our booking, if i was to do again i would arrive a little earlier so we could take a few more pics in the waiting area as it is really christmassy and also there are a few toys for kids to play with. following the time in the waiting area we were escorted to the theatre doors- my advice is if you are to go then stand close to the theatre doors so that when u que u are at the front and get a good seat in te theatre as me and my partner sat on the 2nd row whch is behind and we struggled to see due to peoples head being in the way and the kids had to stand on the seat to get a proper view. The film is amazing and looks fntastic with the 3d glasses, seeing ur childs pic pop up throughout the film is a real treat as well. my kids were a little fidgety throughout the film but i think that was cus they were hungry- we had planned santa and then lunch but if i was to do again i would do lunch and then santa! after the film the children were taken into see santa and in this room ur not aloud to take pictures, however i did manage to quickly snap one lol and then mummy got told off by the elfs lol, they dont want u to take pics cus they want u to buy a picture but if u dnt think ur gunna be able to afford to buy pics then just quickly pull out your camera and take a snap of ur child with santa at the same time the photographer does lol, they may tell u ur not allowed but by then u alread have ur pic so watever really lol! the kids got a nice little christmas book from santa which they loved, santa was very friendly and welcoming also. after that u can buy pics, i bought one of the £6 pics but they have a variety of things u can buy. After seeing santa and buying photos u leave the grotto, over all a really good experience defo 4 stars and if i would have known to do all of what i said in my review then it would have been even more exciting and would have got 5 stars lol.xx if you go have fun- great cus it doesnt cost a penny!

westfield stratford @

- london @

- 12/12/2011 @

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

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Review 4 for Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto

5/5

Brillant

Westfield, Stratford City @

- Stratford @

- 05/12/2011 @

Favourite moment: The film @

Posted 06/12/2011

by Anonymous

The whole experience was brillant. Great value for money. I would recommend it to anyone that has kids. The film was short but enough then the kids went in to see Santa, which I wasn't expecting.

Westfield, Stratford City @

- Stratford @

- 05/12/2011 @

Favourite moment: The film @

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

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Review 5 for Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto

4/5

Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto

Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto @

- Westfield Stratford City , London @

- 05/12/2011 @

Favourite moment: Seeing your face on the big screen in the film and talking to Santa. @

Posted 05/12/2011

by Qylise

We all enjoyed the event (30 mins) and would recommend to others. There are only a few niggly bits, so that's why it's four stars instead of fiveSanta's Grotto is situated outside at the Waitrose end of the mall, in a purpose built building in the walkway between the station and Premier Inn. It's fairly small so prams had to be left in a covered buggy park. I visited with a newborn and a four year old, so it was fiddly to carry a car seat, changing bag, etc.I visited at 10am without booking and that was ideal as it wasn't busy, so collected the (free) tickets at the door. The 30 minute session is divided into three parts, taking the child's picture via an iPad so it can be inserted into the movie, watching the movie and then seeing Santa (taking a picture and getting a present).You can purchase a picture/magnet/keyring at the end for £6 each or £15 for all three. A snowglobe for £10 and usb with one picture for £10 (iirc) .I'm not sure if it's because we were the first slot, but the Grotto didn't seem to be running as smoothly as it could have been. The doors were open late. There were only four parties with a total of 6 children and we queued to get in once the doors were open which was odd as I was the only party to have to collect a ticket. Perhaps that had something to do with reception being fully manned but only one person dealing with the queue. Also did not appreciate being bundled from the waiting area to the cinema - literally closing the doors on our heels.At the exit arrived to be informed that the tills not working, so photos would not print and an issue over whether we could pay with cash or not - exact change only !. However, issues resolved when supervisor arrived with a cash float for the tills and advised the staff to stop using the till which wasn't working and use the other which was.All in all a good experience - kids loved it, especially speaking with Santa and whilst staff helpful and friendly, not terribly efficient.I would avoid when busy which it was starting to get when we left. Can see it being a cattle pen and being ferried from one place to the next without a chance to fully experience or enjoy.

Westfield Stratford City Santa's Grotto @

- Westfield Stratford City , London @

- 05/12/2011 @

Favourite moment: Seeing your face on the big screen in the film and talking to Santa. @